CALLS TO ACTION: 2014

Threat to the Cultural Property Implementation Act (CPIA):

Members of Congressman Charles B. Rangel’s (Dem-NY) and Congressman Steve Israel’s (Dem-NY) staff are considering the introduction of legislation that would specifically exempt coins from trade restrictions under the Cultural Property Implementation Act (CPIA). This initiative is being heavily lobbied for by coin collectors. LCCHP opposes the passage of this legislation, which would weaken protection of cultural heritage and allow collectors to more easily purchase coins discovered during illicit excavations. Below is LCCHP’s letter to the congressmen from New York. We encourage our members within the relevant districts to contact the Congressmen regarding this legislation.

Once again the Foreign Cultural Exchange Immunity Clarification Act is moving with haste. The Act was first adopted by the U.S. House of Representative in 2012. It was reintroduced by three original sponsors along with a new co-sponsor.

Judiciary Committee member Rep. Steve Chabot (R-OH)introduced H.R. 4292 on March 25 along with co-sponsors Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), and Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TX). Their purpose is to amend the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA) in order to encourage foreign lending of art to the U.S. The bill proposes that artwork of cultural significance imported for purposes of temporary exhibition by a cultural institution, and which is in the national interest, will not be considered "commercial activity." The FSIA protects foreign states from lawsuits, unless the actions are classified as "commercial activity."

Just as with S. 2212, HR 4292 includes the "Nazi exception,"

Nazi-era claims.--[Jurisdictional immunity] shall not apply in any case ... in which rights in property taken in violation of internationallaw are in issue ... andthe action is based upon a claim that suchwork was taken in connection with the acts of a coveredgovernment during the covered period [of January 30, 1933 through May 8, 1945].

The bill was referred to the Judiciary Committee which quickly held a markup of the legislation, without a hearing, and approved the bill on April 2. The measure will now be sent to the Full House for consideration.